104 GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 



parts of the weaker branches that were left entire, and 

 thus a balance is restored. 



Pruning to renew the Growth of stunted trees. It 

 frequently happens that trees, from certain causes, become 

 stunted, and almost cease to grow, and every part as- 

 sumes a comparatively dormant condition. In such cases 

 they are cut back, the number of their buds and leaves is 

 reduced, the whole force of the sap is made to act upon 

 the small number remaining, and enables them to produce 

 vigorous young shoots ; these send down new woody 

 matter to the stem, new roots are also formed, and thus 

 the whole tree is renewed and invigorated. 



Pruning to induce Fruitfulness. This is conducted on 

 the principle that whatever is favorable to rapid, vigorous 

 growth, is unfavorable to the immediate production of 

 fruit. Hence, the object in view must be to check growth 

 and impede the circulation of the sap just the opposite 

 of pruning to renew growth. The only period at which 

 this pruning can be performed, is after vegetation has 

 commenced. If a tree is severely pruned immediately 

 after it has put forth its leaves, it receives such a check as 

 to be unable to produce a vigorous growth the same 

 season ; the sap is impeded in its circulation, and the re- 

 sult is that a large number of the young shoots that 

 \vould have made vigorous wood branches, had they not 

 been checked, assume the character of fruit spurs and 

 branches. Pinching is the principal mode of pruning 

 to promote fruitfulness, and will be explained hereafter. 

 It depends upon the above principle of impeding the 

 circulation of the sap and checking growth. 



Pruning to diminish Fruitfulness is conducted on the 

 same principle as that to renew growth, for this, in fact, 

 is the object. 



Pruning the Roots. This is practiced as well to pro- 

 mote fruitfulness as to lessen the dimensions of trees. 

 The roots, as has been shown, are the organs that absorb 



